Bottle drying device



April 2, 1935. c. J. LAYLAND BOTTLE DRYING DEVICE v Filed July 19, 1934 Snnentor Patented Apr. 2, 1935 PATENT OFFICE 1,996,299 BOTTLE name DEVICE' Charles John Layland, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada Application July 19, 1934, Serial No. 736,028

1Claim.

This invention relates to improvements in bottle driers or Wipers and consists essentially of an annular absorbent element encased in a conforming perforate cage.

I One important object of the invention is to provide a device through which beverage bottles may be passed, or which may be passed over the bottles, to 'free them from the moisture adhering after they are removed from their cooling bath in order that they may be served in a substantially dry state tothe customer.

A second important object is to provide a device of the character described which when used will not cause the moisture removed from the bottles to drip on the floor or equipment of the premises. y

A third important object is to provide a device of this kind wherefrom the accumulated moisture may be readily ejected at intervals.

A fourth important object is to provide a device of the class specified which will be simple, durable, effective, and inexpensive to produce. f

With the above and other objects in view as will be hereinafter apparent, the invention consists in general of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the Aaccompanying drawing and specifically claimed.

In the accompanying drawing like characters of reference indicate like parts in the several views, and: i

.Figure l is an elevation of a bottle drier constructed in accordance with this invention illustrating a bottle in course of progression therethrough, or the drier in course of progression over the bottle, as the case may' be;

Figure 2 is a top view or plan of the structure of Figure 1; and

Figure 3 is a median cross-section taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

In its present embodiment, the invention consists of the annular absorbent element I through the core of which the bottles pass for drying. Although this element may be formed `oi' any suitable absorbent material, natural sponge, as shown on the drawing, is considered to be the most effective and serviceable for the purpose. It will be understood, however, and it is evident that any other substance possessed of the same general absorbent and elastic characteristics may be used to advantage if, as for instance, the cost of production is sought to be reduced.

lil

This element may be cut to the exact form in which it is to be used, or it may be made in strips and curved so that its ends meet. It may comprise a single piece or be in laminated form.

The absorbent element is enclosed in the perforate cage which consists of a cylindrical wall having top and bottom inturned retaining flanges or webs. It is preferably formed of wire mesh and is so shown for example. In its present embodiment the cylindrical wall. consists of the vertical bars II intersected by a plurality of spaced rings I2. The vertical bars II are bent inwardly at right-angles over top and bottom master rings I3, the inbent portions I4 being intersected by a plurality of spaced rings I5 progressively graduated in diameter, and terminated at terminal rings I6, thus forming the top and bottom retaining flanges or webs.

The terminal rings I6 are substantially greater in diameter than that of the bottle B, While the 20 normal diameter of the core C of the absorbent element is considerably less. Consequently the absorbent element extends well in from the terminal rings I6 and when the bottle is introduced from the bottle neck first it dilates the core of the absorbent element and becomes well dried during its progression therethrough. It will be noted that the bottle neck acts as a pilot for the progressive dilation of the core.

When sponge is used as the absorbent element it is well to first dampen it prior to putting the device into service since it is well known that, while sponge is probably the best known absorbent when moist, it is relatively `hard and initially moisture resisting when perfectly dry. 35

The device is particularly adaptable for use either as a hand implement or one for suitably and detachably securing to a fixture or wall. When used by hand the bottle may be stood upright on a flat surface and the device passed partially down over it vertically by the use of one hand with the handle Il and then by grasping the bottle by its protruding neck with the other hand it may be pulled the rest of the way through. When, however, the device is used as a fixed 45 utensil the simplicity and ease with which the i bottle may be pushed through from one end to the other is obvious.

When the device has absorbed moisture to the point of saturation or so nearly so as to render it impracticable for further immediate service it may be taken, for instance, outside or to a. sink, and the water shaken therefrom.

For the purpose of drying the bottom of the bottle after the sides thereof have been dried as above set forth, portions IIA of the absorbent element are stretched through the mesh ol the top ange or web so that they protrude through the cage. After the bottle has been pulled through the device the moisture on the bottom may be removed by wiping it on these protuberences.

There has thus been provided a simple and emcient device oi' the kind described and for thev purpose specifled.

It is obvious that minor changes may be made in the form and construction oi' the invention without departing from the material spirit thereof. It is not, therefore, desired to connne the invention to the exact form herein shown and described,butitisdesiredtoincludeallsuchls properly come within the scope claimed.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, is:

In a device of the class described, an openwork incasement having opposed passage openings of greater diameter than a bottle to be treated, and an absorbent element of yieldable material within the incasement provided with a passage core of normally lesser diameter than said bottle and registering with said passage openings. said element having irregular portions extending through some of the interstices oi.' the incasement to combiningly form a pad or plurality of coacting pads for the absorption ot moisture from the bottom of a bottle wiped thereon.

CHARLES JOHN LAYLAND. 

